According to federal law, making beverage alcohol at home is illegal. Distilled spirits like whiskey are taxed at the highest rate of any alcohol, far more than either beer or wine. In the United States, you are allowed to make up to 100 gallons of beer per person per year, and up to 200 gallons per household. If you want to make more, you need a license. You are not allowed to sell it or distill it without a license.
Home Distillation Laws
It is illegal to distill alcohol without a license in most countries. To legally distill alcohol at home, you must follow federal and state laws. You must obtain a permit, be aware of regulations, and take safety precautions.
Brewing Methods
The simplest way to make higher alcohol beer is to add more sugar during fermentation. Most brewers use dry malt extract as their sugar source because it adds more alcohol without adding sweetness.
As a rule of thumb, enough yeast to properly ferment 5.5-7% ABV beer is produced from a 1 liter starter. For 7-9% ABV beer, double the yeast by using 200 grams of extract and 2 liters of water. It takes about 20g of sugar per serving of juice, plus a packet of specially designed yeast, to make alcohol. The juice’s sugar converts into ethanol in 48 hours.
Homebrewing in the U.S.
Why is homebrewing illegal? Home brewing is illegal in some countries due to concerns about safety, taxation, and regulation.
Although homebrewing is now legal at the federal level and in all 50 states, homebrewer rights vary. Making home brewing in Alabama and Mississippi was not legal until 2013. One element of homebrewing laws has to do with age.
It is not illegal to brew your own beer at home. Any adult can legally produce beer, without tax, for personal use. Both federal and state laws permit homebrewing but each state may have peculiar rules.
In 1978, homebrewing was legalized by the federal government. Before 1978, it was prohibited since prohibition in 1919. Each state has regulations and restrictions on homebrewing. Homebrewing has a long history dating to ancient Sumerian writings and Egyptian hieroglyphs. In 1978, President Carter signed a law making homebrewing legal for personal consumption.
Today homebrewing is a popular hobby. Some enjoy making their own beer, wine or cider. Ale is considered the easiest type of beer to brew. To legally sell homebrew, you need brewery licensing and bonding.